Peter V.

A graduate of Die Angewandte, Peter is part of the first group of post-graduate students in the newly launched Emerging Systems & Technologies (ESTm) MDesR program at SCI-Arc. Here’s what he shared with us in a recent interview:

Why did you choose architecture?
It's fascinating to build...and to destroy! As a kid, my father who is a
practicing architect took me to construction sites of his buildings;
it felt complicated and magical, so I guess that had a great influence
on me.

Why did you choose to come to SCI-Arc?
I was here at SCI-Arc in 2006-07 on an exchange from my grad school Die
Angewandte in Vienna. At the time in Peter Testa's studio we were
speculating on new ways to build with robots. This year the Robot Lab
became a reality - it is a globally unique piece of infrastructure for
architects - and I was excited to continue the research I started 5 years ago and take it to a new level within the incubating environment of SCI-Arc.

What are the strengths of the SCI-Arc curriculum?
I like the studio-centered organization. It lets students focus on design problems in depth. I also believe the SCI-Arc's advanced vertical studios offer a real choice of personal interest which can be extended beyond a single semester. For a school like SCI-Arc, I value continuity and depth over a horizontal structure with a constant rotation of tutors.

What are the defining or unique characteristics of SCI-Arc students?
That's difficult to say, because we are talking about a very diverse
collection of students, from undergrads to grads and post-grads. Students come to SCI-Arc from all over the globe, bringing their own culture and ideas about
architecture to the table. That is already exciting, and I guess we
all share a certain curiosity for capital A, Architecture, a will to
build, and of course to discuss this whole process.

Describe your favorite studio experience at SCI-Arc.
We recently had mid-term review in Peter Testa studio, presenting our ideas
on control of the robots and unexpected results on the material side. There was a moment when Marcelyn Gow, Andrew Atwood and Tom Wiscombe—who were on our jury —all wanted to add their immediate reaction and standpoint on our work. I liked the intensity of the discussion.

Have you been involved in projects outside of the required coursework?
Currently, I am designing the website for the post-graduate program I'm
participating in: Emerging Systems and Technologies & Media (ESTm).

Talk about your summer internship experience.
I had a few of those, with Greg Lynn Form or an other summer with
UNstudio. I have found them very useful and inspiring. In recent
years I have worked on projects in the Middle-East and for Wolfgang
Tschapeller, and on a new Science Center in Belgrade. I also had various collaborative projects on multiple scales in our Vienna atelier.

What are your plans upon graduation from SCI-Arc?
I would like to continue to work in the junction of technological innovation and design problems. I hope the second half my program will tie closer with the industry and that we could find professional peers for our ideas beyond graduation. There is still a lot to do til then!